The Voice: The Unparalleled Life of Roger Huston

By Victoria M. Howard

The Voice: The Unparalleled Life of Roger Huston is a blockbuster book about the life of the number 1 horse racing announcer in the country—Roger Huston—which many agree on. Huston has called more than 178,000 races, covering at least 144 tracks in nineteen states and eight countries.

Known as the Voice because of his booming vocal crescendo, when one hears that sound, you instantly know a trotting or pacing race is imminent. Whether he calls an overnight or the Little Brown Jug, Huston makes each and every race exciting.

Through these pages, the author takes you face-to-face with the classic races of the era.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728306568

Victoria M. Howard

Victoria M. Howard has written and published 25 books in various genres. She has appeared on Fox and Friends, Good Day L.A., Good Morning Sacramento, and several of her books have been mentioned in the New York Times, The Miami Herald, The Pittsburgh Press, and The Huffington Post.Victoria has been a model, horse breeder, and beauty queen who once represented her state in the Mrs. USA Pageant. Today, she is an ordained minister and a Christian bereavement counselor who lives in Delray Beach, Florida, with her dog, Max.Other Christian Books Written By Howard,The Stairway to HeavenVivian and Max: Little Ambassadors for ChristWhispers From GodThe Evolution of V

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© 2019 Victoria M. Howard. All rights reserved.

Front cover credit Kelly Spencer.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/15/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-0655-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-0657-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-0656-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019903973

Permission was granted for use of photos used of any living person

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Table of Contents

Dedication

Preface

Acknowledgements

Table of Contents

A Word From The Author

Preface

Present Day

Chapter 1 It All Started In Xenia, Ohio

Chapter 2 The Beginning of A Lifelong Career

Chapter 3 Pompano Park Racetrack: The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing

Chapter 4 The Red Mile

Chapter 5 Sam McKee: My Friend and Protege

Chapter 6 The Meadows

Chapter 7 The Little Brown Jug

Chapter 8 The Adios: The Pace for the Orchids

Chapter 9 The County Fairs

Chapter 10 My Driving Career

Chapter 11 Falcon Seelster, Dragon’s Lair, Nansemond & Wiggle It Jiggleit

Chapter 12 The International Races

Chapter 13 Pittsburgh Sports Announcing

Chapter 14 Special People and Places

Chapter 15 My Life Today

Chapter 16 P.S.

About the Author

Dedication

When you devote your life to your career, in my case Harness Racing, something must get put on the back burner.

From 1960 to the present, my career as a race announcer always came first. Unfortunately, it was my family who suffered the most. My duty and responsibility of announcing races at fairs, racetracks, or other venues were put ahead of my loved ones.

Even the calculated birthdate of my daughter Nevele who was born by caesarian on September 16, 1983 was pre-arranged so I could leave the following day to call races in Delaware, Ohio, at The Little Brown Jug.

Throughout the years I have missed eventful birthdays, weddings and even the birth of my precious granddaughter Kinsley, because of my obligation to The Columbiana County Fair in Lisbon, Ohio.

Although my wife couldn’t understand the unconditional commitment I had to my career, my daughter Nevele always did. (And yes, she was named after my favorite horse—NEVELE PRIDE)

So it is my honor to dedicate this book to the love of my life, my daughter Nevele, who is my pride and joy. Fortunately for me she is far more loving and better mannered than her notorious namesake.

Roger

Preface

As I sit here recollecting the events that have made what I consider to be a stimulating, unique and blessed life, my eyes begin to tear for many of the people I will be talking about are no longer with us.

My parents, who were my biggest fans are gone, but will always live in my heart, along with many other family members.

A dear friend, Sam McKee, one of the best race announcers ever and who I considered ‘a son’ died in 2017 at the young age of 54.

Although these people are no longer with me they will always be kept alive in my heart and through the pages of this book.

Yes, I’ve met a lot of interesting people in my life and believe everyone has a best-selling story to tell. I believe I do, too. It’s not that I’m special; but God has blessed me with a career I not only lived and breathed for sixty years but opened doors to opportunities that were beyond any wild dreams I ever imagined. In my eyes, I have never worked one day in my life.

For years many people have asked me why I’ve never written a book. I’m not a celebrity or politician but have been an integral part of what I consider one of the greatest sports in the world: Harness Racing.

For over half a century I’ve been involved in different aspects of the industry: handicapping, training, owning, driving and announcing races.

I’ve called and witnessed some of the very best horseraces; from the thrill of setting world records to the heartache of a heavy favorite break stride, or worse, involved in an accident.

I’ve called races at fairs and racetracks across North America and overseas. Throughout the years I met and befriended top trainers, owners, drivers; even caretakers who have meant as much to me as the most influential people in the business. Some of these people are still with us; while others I’m certain are up there working with a horse in some way.

When my son-in-law Dustin asked me to write a book about my adventures and career, I called a woman I’ve known for forty years who has written many books and who I consider to be a very good friend, Victoria Howard–but she’s Vicki to me.

Unfortunately Vicki lives 2,000 miles away so collaborating is going to be a challenge for us; but being that we are both Virgo’s, we thrive on challenges.

While writing this book many memories re-surfaced which were buried in the back of my mind. Even though some may be pensive for the person has since passed, they were still important times in my life so I wanted to share them with you. I hope to make you feel as if you were there with me, experiencing the thrills and ups and downs I have encountered in my career of Harness Racing.

Roger

Acknowledgements

First and foremost I would like to thank my family for understanding and condoning my absences at many important occasions, due to my obligation of calling races. You are the ones who encouraged me to write this book after years of tossing the idea around.

To my friend and author Vicki Howard, for making my dream a reality, by putting my life on paper and creating a book that will be my family’s legacy.

To all the people in the book— those who are alive and those deceased, for without you there would be no book.

Thanks to all who gave permission to use their pictures for the book.

To the U.S.T.A. for helping find and allowing the use of certain horse photos.

To Kelly Spencer, for taking the wonderful photo used on the front cover.

And to all the horses, each and every one, that I had the pleasure of calling in a race. No matter who you were: whether you were a cheap claimer or a World Champion, you were all significant and special to me.

A Word From The Author

I have personally known Roger Huston for forty years. The very first time I heard that unique compelling intonation was the day Roger announced my Standardbred, Who Du Girl, winning her first race at The Meadows Racetrack–-which was also my initial win as an owner/trainer.

Although Who Du was merely a $2,500 claimer (but in my eyes she was a champion) Roger made the race sound like she had just won The Little Brown Jug. Sixty years later, Huston is still calling every race, no matter what class it is, as if it were a million dollar race.

That was it! I was hooked— line and sinker— and decades later I am still involved in this exhilarating, yet at times nerve-wracking sport.

At that time Roger had relocated to Pennsylvania from Florida where he had been calling the horseraces at Pompano Park Racetrack, known as ‘The Winter Capital of Harness Racing’.

In 1976 Huston arrived at The Meadows Racetrack located in Washington, Pennsylvania and has been a permanent fixture ever since. For the past forty-four years he has been calling the races there, including the legendary Adios Race. (Heck, that’s twice as long than most marriages last!)

In his career Roger has called more than 178,000 races; covering at least 144 tracks in 19 states and 8 countries throughout his career.

Sports in the United States are an important part of American culture. Competition in sports has been prominent since the ancient Greeks invented the Olympics, just as horseracing has been around since the days of Ben-Hur and the chariot races. (Which was the most popular sport spectacle of the Roman and Byzantine Eras.)

Thus, there has always been a need for someone to vocally describe what is happening on the field of play. This is where sport announcers are needed.

As far as Superstar Sport announcers, Vin Scully has long been considered the best in baseball, former player Pat Summerall and partner John Madden is the pinnacle in football, and who could forget the instantly recognizable voice of the inimitable sports journalist Howard Cosell?

In Harness Racing several names come to mind such as Carl Becker and Frank Salive, but perhaps none has matched the all-encompassing legend of harness racings’ Roger Huston.

Besides calling horseraces Roger also finds time to dab in other avenues and provides audio for local merchant commercials. In fact, Roger and I once filmed several television commercials promoting The John Howard Automobile Dealerships in the nineties.

It doesn’t matter where you are, when you hear ‘that voice’ you instantly know a trotting or pacing race is imminent.

Roger’s signature tone has been compared to the unmistakable voice of sports announcer Howard Cosell who was famous for saying, This is Howard Cosell on Sports.

At first Cosell’s predominant style was unabashed adulation, offering a brassy counterpoint that was first ridiculed then copied until it became the dominant note of sports broadcasting.

Although there are many good announcers in Harness Racing there is only one undistinguishable voice– and that is Huston’s. So the day Roger called and asked my thoughts about writing his autobiography, it was a no-brainer. The only thing I muttered was, Why did it take 50 years for it to happen?

But in life everything is timing and this is the time to write the life story of a talented, amazing, one-of-a-kind man who I am proud to call my good friend.

As a writer I have heard some unconventional stories, but I don’t know anyone else who has worked harder, been unconditionally devoted and brought more excitement and joy to people worldwide than Roger Huston.

Although I have co-written several books on Harness Racing, this book is different because not only is it an autobiography of a unique man’s life, but also an informative book about the greatest horses, races and people in what I also consider the best sport on this planet—Harness Racing.

It is my honor to put on paper the crazy, exhilarant adventures of the one and only, ‘The Voice’—Roger Huston. I hope to do Roger and his story justice and bring a smidgen of excitement that he has brought to millions of people worldwide.

Victoria M Howard

THE LITTLE BROWN JUG

DELAWARE, OHIO

If you’ve never been on your feet, you better get up now!

It’s 1985, Little Brown Jug Day and Falcon Seelster with driver Tom Harmer just passed the 3/4 pole in a then unheard time of 1:22.4 as race caller Roger Huston sensing a world record was imminent, implored the huge crowd to get in view positioning NOW!

As the horses get in behind the gate, Roger Huston announces…….

"The invitational Pace. The gate swings around the turn and heeeeere they come!………

They’re off and pacing. Going for the lead is Falcon Seelster in the middle of the track…….. Past the quarter in a speedy 27 seconds.

They reach the half in 54. 3!!! 27. 3 second quarter.

What’s the ¾’s gonna be? 1:22.4!!!

And Falcon Seelster opens up for Tom Harmer! If you’ve never been on you’re feet, you better get up now!

It’s Falcon Seelster opening up now by 15 lengths, 17, 19. Falcon Seelster and Tom Harmer– LOOK AT THE TIMER! 1:51!!!!!!!!!!"

That history-making race took place on Jug Day in 1985.

Thirty-Four years after Falcon Seelster was victorious in World Record Time, Roger Huston can still be heard calling the upsets and favorites of Harness Racing every year at The Little Brown Jug—but that’s another chapter later on in the book.

Calling that momentous race was Just another ordinary day at the office for Roger Huston, race caller extraordinaire, who literally makes even the most inconsequential trotting or pacing race sound like the most exciting event you’ve ever witnessed.

For most people, watching a horserace accurately